Card game

ABSTRACT

The card game provides additional interest by having the players form two separate hands from the original five cards dealt to them. Players place initial wagers to ante and on a three-card hand and two-card suited hand. The three-card hand is treated as a poker hand, with a minimum qualifying value for the player&#39;s hand or lack of a minimum value for the dealer&#39;s hand providing an automatic win for the player&#39;s ante. The two-card hand must be formed of cards of the same suit, with the object being to have a two-card count closest to twenty-one. Players win by exceeding the count of the dealer&#39;s two-card hand. Players may place an optional bonus wager on all five cards, with the three-card and two-card hands being recombined to determine win or loss in accordance with standard poker combinations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/771,867, filed Feb. 10, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to card games, and more specifically to a wagering card game wherein the cards dealt to each player are split to form a two-card suited or flush hand and a three-card poker hand, with additional combinations and wagers being provided as well.

2. Description of the Related Art

Innumerable card games have been developed over the years, with most using the conventional fifty-two card deck of four suits each having thirteen cards comprising the two through ten and jack, queen, king, and ace. This conventional deck is also known as the “poker deck,” and is universally used for the play of numerous variations of poker, including blackjack, etc., and also including the present game.

Most such games have but a single theme or procedure for each hand of play. In the case of poker, the basic premise is well known, i.e., the object of the game is to acquire a card combination that outranks those of other players, with the rank or hierarchy of the cards and combinations being well established. While there are a great number of variations on this theme (e.g., five- and seven-card draw, five- and seven-card stud, etc.), the game proceeds according to its well established rules, with no variations or secondary games extending from the primary game during each hand or round of play. While players may vary the type of game to be played during each hand or round of play in informal games, the type of game and rules of play are immutably established at each table in more formal casino games, with no variations permitted.

It is well known that different players are attracted to different games. Some card players may prefer stud or Texas hold 'em, while others prefer draw or other games. Yet another variation is blackjack or twenty-one, with many players staying with this game and avoiding other wagering card games. Nevertheless, while many players are attracted to or prefer a certain specific game, they often look for a different game as a change of pace from their usual preference. Many more players would be attracted to a game involving aspects of different card games, e.g., a game combining aspects of poker and blackjack or twenty-one, as such a game would have various portions each of which would be attractive to at least some players. Moreover, the variety provided by such a multiple part game would be appealing to players who tire of the routine involved in relatively straightforward games, such as draw and stud poker. Yet, very few wagering card games have been developed in the past in which the players split or separate their cards to form multiple hands, with the object being different for each hand.

Thus, a card game solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The card game of the present invention combines aspects of poker and blackjack or twenty-one in a single game. The dealer and players each receive five cards, with the object being to form the best possible three-card poker hand and a second hand comprising two cards of the same suit and having a value or count closest to twenty-one, using the conventional value or point system used in that game. Players place multiple wagers before the cards are dealt, with each wager being directed to a different aspect of the game. In the case of the three-card poker hand, a certain minimum value for the hand (e.g., a pair of jacks or higher) may be established as an automatic win for the player's initial or ante wager, and a certain minimum value may be required of the dealer hand as well (e.g., at least a queen or better).

A separate wager is placed by each player for the two-card suited blackjack or twenty-one hand, with these hands being compared to the two-card dealer hand to determine whether each player's two-card hand wins or loses. Certain rules may be established for the splitting of the five-card dealer hand to form the three-card poker and two-card suited or flush blackjack hand, in accordance with house or gaming commission rules, as applicable. Players may divide their cards in any manner they see fit, so long as the two cards of the blackjack hand are of the same suit.

Another aspect of the present game allows players to place an optional bonus wager and recombine their cards to form a five-card poker hand. Each hand is considered according to conventional poker rules for various card combinations and independently of the dealer's and other players' hands in order to determine winning and losing hands for the players.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary gaming table for the card game according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a single player position for the gaming table of FIG. 1, showing further details thereof.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the basic steps in the method of play of the card game according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises various embodiments of a card game particularly well-suited for casino or other wagering play. The game uses one or more conventional poker decks, i.e., fifty-two cards divided into four suits of thirteen cards in each suit. The game combines elements of different gambling or wagering card games by dividing each hand into two different smaller hands, which are played differently from one another. The two smaller hands may be recombined to form a larger bonus hand if so desired by the player.

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a top plan view of an exemplary gaming table layout 10 of the present card game, with FIG. 2 illustrating a top plan view of a single player position 12 thereon. The table layout 10 includes a series of six such player positions 12, disposed in a semicircular array about a single central dealer position 14. The dealer position may include a chip rack or holder 16 and an optional random position selector 18 to select the first player in each deal. While six player positions 12 are illustrated in the table layout 10 of FIG. 1, it will be understood that more or fewer player positions may be provided at a single table, as desired.

An exemplary player position 12 is shown in detail in FIG. 2, as noted above. Each player position 12 includes a poker hand card position 20 and a separate suited-hand card position 22. Preferably five cards are dealt to each player, with three of the cards being placed upon the poker hand position 20 and the other two cards of the same suit being placed upon the suited- or flush-hand card position 22. However, the number of cards dealt and/or required in either or both hands may be adjusted, if so desired. Each player position 12 further includes an ante wager position 24, a poker hand wager position 26, a suited-hand wager position 28, a poker hand play position 30, and a bonus wager position 32 for optional bonus play as desired.

FIG. 3 provides a flowchart describing the basic steps in the method of play of the present game. Players are initially required to place wagers on the ante position 24, the poker hand wager position 26, and the suited-hand position 28 in order to play. These three wagers may be considered as being placed simultaneously, and may be equal to one another or in two or more different amounts, as desired and/or in accordance with any governing casino or gaming commission rules. These three wagers are placed before any cards are dealt, generally in accordance with the first step 34 of FIG. 3. If a player wishes to place an optional bonus wager on the poker hand comprising all of the cards dealt to that player, he or she must place the bonus wager at this point, in accordance with the optional second step 36 of FIG. 3.

At this point, the dealer deals a number of cards to each participating player, i.e., each player who has placed the three wagers described above, in accordance with the third step 38 of FIG. 3. Preferably five cards are dealt to each player, but the number may be adjusted if so desired, with it being understood that the hierarchy of the poker hands and the odds and corresponding payouts will change, at least to some extent, with differing numbers of cards in each hand.

Once each participating player has received his or her cards, the player splits up the cards to form a smaller poker hand and a suited-pair hand, generally in accordance with the fourth step 40 of FIG. 3. Preferably five cards are dealt to each player and to the dealer, as noted further above. This assures that with four suits in the deck, there will be at least two cards of the same suit in each five-card hand, which may be used to form the suited-pair hand. The other three cards are used to form a simplified poker hand, with many of the conventional poker possibilities (e.g., four-of-a-kind, full house, two pair) being eliminated from the potential hands possible in such a three-card hand. It will be recognized that certain arrangements of the two hands provide greater opportunities to win, but this is up to the individual player, and he or she may split his or her initially-dealt group of cards in any manner desired to form the two hands, so long as one hand contains two cards of the same suit.

The dealer also arranges his or her cards to form a suited-pair hand and a poker hand, generally in accordance with the fifth step 42 of FIG. 3. However, various house and/or gaming commission rules may be implemented to require the dealer to arrange the two hands in a certain manner, depending upon the cards received. These house rules simplify the game for the dealer and enable the dealer to play more rapidly and efficiently by reducing the number of decisions and judgment calls otherwise required by the dealer. However, these house rules may include certain disadvantages to the house in order to offset other advantages, e.g., ties going to the house or dealer. An exemplary set of house rules for the dealer hand is provided in the table below, with it being understood that some or all of these rules may be deleted from play, or that other rules may be implemented.

Table I. House Rules for Dealer Hand by Suit Composition

-   -   1. Suit composition 2-1-1-1: The two cards of the same suit are         placed in the two-card suited hand, and the remaining three         cards are placed in the three-card poker hand.     -   2. Suit composition 3-2-0-0: The suited pair is placed in the         two-card suited hand, and the remaining three cards form a         three-card flush in the three-card poker hand.     -   3. Suit composition 5-0-0-0: This hand is played to maximize the         value of the two-card suited hand. The remaining three cards         will, by definition, form a flush. In the event that a straight         flush is possible in the three-card hand by lowering the value         of the two-card hand, the straight flush will be broken up in         the three-card hand in order to maximize the value of the         two-card hand. This is because a three-card flush is most likely         to be a winning hand for the dealer in any event, so it is         unnecessary to optimize the three-card hand further by retaining         a straight flush. The dealer will likely have a winning         three-card hand in any event, and must maximize the two-card         hand in order to increase the likelihood of winning the two-card         hand as well.     -   4. Suit composition 4-1-0-0, 3-1-1-0, or 2-2-1-0: Here, the         dealer must optimize the three-card hand to obtain the highest         possible hand, e.g., a three-card straight, which outranks a         three-card flush, which, in turn, outranks a pair. (It will be         noted that the ranking of winning three-card hands is ordered         differently than with five-card hands, due to the differing odds         of such hands being formed with fewer cards.) However, the         dealer is still required to place two cards of the same suit in         the suited hand, as is universally required in the present game.     -   5. Straight, with two lowest cards of the same suit and two         highest cards of the same suit (but of a different suit than the         two lowest cards): Here, the dealer must optimize the two-card         hand by placing the highest ranking cards of the same suit in         that hand. The three-card hand will still have a straight, which         will likely be a winning hand. It is unlikely that the high card         in a three-card straight will prove to be the determining factor         in such a hand, and thus a straight with a lower high card is         still more likely to produce a winning three-card hand as well         as maximizing the chances of a winning two-card hand.     -   6. Pair, with three unpaired cards of the same suit: The dealer         will retain the pair in the three-card poker hand and place the         highest of the three suited cards in the two-card suited hand.         It is necessary for the dealer to break up the three-card flush         in this case, as two cards of the same suit are required in the         two-card suited hand. However, the dealer will place the highest         cards possible in the two-card suited hand in order to maximize         that hand to increase its chances of winning. The three-card         hand will include the pair and one additional card, which may         comprise the high card in the hand. However, it is unlikely that         the unpaired card will be the determining factor in a hand that         already contains a pair, somewhat as in the case of example 5         immediately above.     -   7. Lower pair with two face cards (or a ten) and ace of the same         suit: The dealer will form a twenty-one count in the two-card         flush or suited hand, using the ace and the lower ranking face         card (or ten). Here, the rank of the face card or ten is         immaterial in the two-card flush hand, as the hand will still         have a value of twenty-one (the highest possible value) in any         case. Thus, the dealer may place the higher ranking face card in         the three-card hand to maximize its value, without lowering the         value of the two-card suited hand.     -   8. Two pair and fifth card of unrelated rank: In this case, the         dealer must select the pair having the highest rank or count for         the three-card hand in order to maximize the value of that hand,         with two suited cards making up the two-card suited hand. The         fifth card of the initial five card deal becomes the third card         of the three-card hand. At least one of the two pair must always         be broken up, as they cannot both be placed in the three-card         hand.     -   9. Hand of no potential winning combinations, but with a single         high card meeting minimums for the three-card dealer hand: In         this case, the highest card must be played in the three-card         hand in order to qualify the three-card dealer hand (e.g., queen         or higher), if possible, depending upon suits. Otherwise, if the         highest card is one of only two cards of matching suit, then         they must be played in the two-card suited hand.     -   10. Hand having a series of low cards with no potential winning         combinations: In this case, the dealer plays the two highest         cards of matching suit to optimize the two-card hand, with the         remaining cards forming the three-card hand. This is because the         three-card dealer hand must meet a certain minimum value in         order for it to be played against the players' hands. If the         dealer hand does not meet this minimum, the players' hands         automatically win. As there is no three-card combination in this         situation that would allow the dealer hand to qualify, the         dealer's three-card hand will always lose. The dealer will thus         optimize the two-card hand.

The above described rules in Table I are intended to control the options for dealer play of the game and reduce the number of decisions that must be made by the dealer in arranging the cards to form the two hands for play, as noted further above. These rules may be modified, expanded, reduced, revised, or otherwise changed as desired or required by house and/or gaming commission rules. However, players are not limited to the above rules, and may arrange their hands in any way they see fit, so long as two cards of the same suit are placed in the two-card hand.

Once the players have arranged their cards to form two hands each, the players must make a decision as to whether to continue play or fold. In order to continue play, the player must place another play bet or wager upon the play position 30 of his or her player position 12, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as indicated by the sixth step 44 of the flowchart of FIG. 3. If the player decides that neither of his or her two hands appear to provide much chance of winning, then the player may fold or withdraw from the game by declining to place a play wager, as indicated by the seventh step 46 of FIG. 3. This results in that player forfeiting the initial ante, poker hand, and two-card suited hand wagers previously placed.

At this point, each hand of the dealer is compared with the corresponding hand of each continuing player, as indicated by the eighth step 48 of the flowchart of FIG. 3. As there are two-card hands to be considered between the dealer and player, there are basically a total of four possibilities (neglecting optional bonus wagers): (a) the player may win the two-card suited hand, and lose the three-card poker hand; (b) the player may lose the two-card suited hand, and win the three-card poker hand; (c) the player may win both hands; or (d) the player may lose both hands. Ties or “pushes” are resolved by awarding them to the dealer. Alternatively they may be awarded to the player or the hand may be canceled with the wager(s) returned to the player, depending upon casino and/or gaming commission rules and/or payout odds provided.

A winning two-card suited hand by a continuing player is indicated by the ninth step 50 of FIG. 3. In this event, the player is paid for the winning two-card suited hand (e.g., even money, although the payout odds may be adjusted as desired), with the other two wagers (ante and three-card poker hand) remaining unresolved by the two-card suited hand. Bonuses (e.g., three-to-one) may be paid to players having exactly twenty-one, i.e., an ace with a king, queen, or jack (“ace with a face”) or ten. Other bonuses may be provided as well, as described further below.

A player winning the three-card poker hand is indicated by the tenth step 52 of the flowchart of FIG. 3. In this situation, the player wins the ante, three-card poker hand wager, and three-card play wager, assuming that the dealer hand meets minimum requirements and the player hand beats the dealer hand. However, there are a few different possibilities in which a player may win some, but not all, of the three wagers. These possibilities are based upon certain minimum required values for both the player and dealer three-card hands.

Preferably, the dealer hand must have at least a queen or higher value (e.g., a single king or ace, or a lower ranking pair, etc.) in order to qualify to win against a player hand. A three-card dealer hand that does not meet this minimum qualification, automatically loses to the player hand, regardless of the three cards in the player hand. In this situation, the continuing player wins his or her ante and three-card poker wagers (assuming the continuing player hand meets any minimum value required, as described below), but the play wager is returned as the dealer hand did not meet minimums for play against the player hand. The likelihood of the three-card dealer hand having at least a queen or higher card (or pair, or other higher ranking combination) is 84.43%, or slightly better than five of every six hands. In the event that neither the continuing player hand nor the dealer hand meets any required minimums, the continuing player wins only his or her ante.

Preferably, the three-card hand of the continuing player must also meet a certain minimum for the player to play against the dealer three-card hand. A pair of moderately high rank, e.g., jacks or better, has been found to provide a reasonable challenge to players. A continuing player holding such a hand is rewarded by paying out both the ante and three-card poker hand to the player, regardless of the value or rank of the dealer hand.

The other possibilities for the continuing player comprise either losing the two-card flush or suited hand, and/or losing the three-card poker hand. The scenario in which the player loses the two-card suited (blackjack) hand is indicated by the eleventh step 54 in the flowchart of FIG. 3. This step also describes a situation where the player wins the three-card suited hand wagers, in which case the player loses only the single wager for the two-card suited hand. The various ante, three-card poker hand, and three-card poker hand play wagers are resolved independently of the two-card suited hand wager, as described further above.

The final possibility is that the player will win the three-card poker hand wagers while losing the two-card suited hand wager. This possible outcome is indicated generally by the twelfth step 56 of FIG. 3, with the various possibilities according to dealer and/or player minimums, etc., having been described in detail further above.

An exception to the three-card poker hand and payout is provided by a provision that combines the aspects of the minimum qualifier for the three-card poker hand, and the highest possible hand value (twenty-one) in the two-card suited hand. In this case, where the player has three-of-a-kind comprising three aces in the three-card poker hand and a twenty-one count formed of an ace and any ten value card in the two-card suited hand, a payout is provided, e.g., 500:1, or other payout odds as determined. This five-card additional payout is separate from the five-card poker hand bonus provision, described below, which requires that the player place a bonus wager in addition to the other wagers required. In the case of three aces in the three-card hand and blackjack (twenty-one) in the two-card suited hand, the payout is automatically paid, regardless of any bonus wager placed by the player. This provision is indicated by the thirteenth step 58 of the flowchart of FIG. 3.

Other five-card hands require the placing of a bonus wager by the continuing player, as provided in the second step 36 of the flowchart of FIG. 3. The placing of a bonus by a continuing player is a wager that the player will have a five-card (or other multiple, depending upon the number of cards originally dealt) poker hand containing a winning poker combination (e.g., at least a pair, or three-of-a-kind, straight, flush, etc.). The bonus poker hand is played independently of the dealer hand after the three-card poker hand and two-card suited or flush hand have been played. The three-card and two-card hands (or other numbers of cards, depending upon the specific rules of play) are recombined into a single recombined multiple-card poker hand by each bonus participating player.

The cards used for this bonus poker hand are the same cards initially dealt for the hand and split into the smaller poker hand and suited pair hand. Each of the recombined bonus wager multiple card player hands are considered by the dealer, and win or loss is determined in accordance with conventional poker rules of play. Where five cards were initially dealt, the recombined hands are treated as five-card poker hands. A bonus payout is provided for any recombined multiple-card hand having a minimum poker hand combination, e.g., at least a pair of jacks, or better, in accordance with the fourteenth step 60 of the flowchart of FIG. 3. If the player does not have at least a pair of jacks (or other minimum qualifying poker hand, as determined by the rules of play), then the player loses his or her bonus wager, as indicated by the final or fifteenth step 62 of the flowchart of FIG. 3.

In conclusion, the present card game offers an interesting variety of game types in a single wagering game. Players who enjoy the relatively straightforward numerical counting principles of twenty-one or blackjack will find this game to be a part of the present game, with players using two identically-suited cards to form a blackjack hand from the cards originally dealt. Players who enjoy poker will also enjoy the present game, with the cards remaining after the forming of the two-card suited blackjack hand being used to form a poker hand. While the smaller poker hand formed will be played somewhat differently than a conventional poker hand, players also have the option of recombining their two-card and poker hands to form a recombined poker hand, if so desired. Thus, the present game provides interest to virtually anyone who enjoys any form of wagering card game, particularly for the person who is seeking some variety from a conventional game with its rigid procedure.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A method of playing a card game, comprising the steps of: (a) placing at least an ante wager, a poker hand wager, and a suited blackjack hand wager by each player; (b) dealing a card hand to each player and to the dealer; (c) placing a poker hand play wager by each player continuing in the game; (d) withdrawing from the game and forfeiting all wagers by each player choosing not to continue in the game; (e) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a multiple-card poker hand and a multiple-card suited blackjack hand; (f) comparing the multiple-card suited blackjack hand of each continuing player with the multiple-card suited blackjack hand of the dealer; (g) paying out a winning suited blackjack hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple-card suited blackjack hand that beats the dealer suited blackjack hand; (h) taking the losing suited blackjack hand wager of each player having a multiple-card suited blackjack hand that does not beat the dealer suited blackjack hand; (i) comparing the multiple-card poker hand of each continuing player with the multiple-card poker hand of the dealer; (j) paying out a winning ante and multiple-card poker hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple-card poker hand that beats the dealer multiple-card poker hand; and (k) taking the losing multiple-card poker hand wager of each player having a multiple-card poker hand that does not beat the dealer multiple-card poker hand.
 2. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (a) providing a gaming table layout for the card game; (b) providing a dealer position on the gaming table layout; (c) providing a plurality of player positions disposed in a semicircular array about the dealer position; (d) providing a poker hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions; (e) providing a suited hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions; (f) providing an ante wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; (g) providing a poker hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; (h) providing a suited hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; and (i) providing a poker hand play position disposed upon each of the player positions.
 3. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a bonus wager position disposed upon each of the player positions.
 4. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (a) dealing five cards to each player and to the dealer; and (b) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a three card poker hand and a two card suited blackjack hand.
 5. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the step of making at least the ante wager, the poker hand wager, and the suited blackjack hand wager equal to one another.
 6. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player; and (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value, regardless of the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand.
 7. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player; (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which beats the dealer multiple card poker hand; and (c) providing a payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which does not beat the dealer multiple card poker hand.
 8. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante wager to each player having a multiple card poker hand when the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand is less than the predetermined minimum value.
 9. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which beats the dealer multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value.
 10. The method of playing a card game according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (a) placing an optional bonus wager by a bonus wagering continuing player; (b) recombining the multiple card suited blackjack hand with the multiple card poker hand and forming a recombined multiple card poker hand for each bonus wagering continuing player; (c) paying out a bonus wager to each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand containing at least a minimum poker hand combination; (d) taking the bonus wager of each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand which does not contain at least a minimum poker hand combination.
 11. A gaming table playing surface for a card game, comprising: a dealer position; a plurality of player positions disposed in a semicircular array about the dealer position; a poker hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions; a suited-hand card position disposed upon each of the player positions; an ante wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; a poker hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; a suited-hand wager position disposed upon each of the player positions; and a poker hand play position disposed upon each of the player positions.
 12. The gaming table layout according to claim 11, further including a bonus wager position disposed upon each of the player positions.
 13. A method of playing a card game using the gaming table layout of claim 11, including the steps of: (a) placing at least an ante wager, a poker hand wager, and a suited blackjack hand wager respectively upon the ante wager position, poker hand wager position, and suited hand wager position of each of the corresponding player positions by each player; (b) dealing a card hand to each player and to the dealer; (c) placing a poker hand play wager upon the poker hand play position of each of the corresponding player positions by each player continuing in the game; (d) withdrawing from the game and forfeiting all wagers by each player choosing not to continue in the game; (e) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a multiple card poker hand and a multiple card suited blackjack hand; (f) placing the multiple card poker hand and the multiple card suited blackjack hand respectively upon the poker hand card position and suited hand card position of each of the corresponding player positions by each continuing player; (g) comparing the multiple card suited blackjack hand of each continuing player with the multiple card suited blackjack hand of the dealer; (h) paying out a winning suited blackjack hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple card suited blackjack hand which beats the dealer suited blackjack hand; (i) taking the losing suited blackjack hand wager of each player having a multiple card suited blackjack hand that does not beat the dealer suited blackjack hand; (j) comparing the multiple card poker hand of each continuing player with the multiple card poker hand of the dealer; (k) paying out a winning ante and multiple card poker hand wager to each continuing player having a multiple card poker hand that beats the dealer multiple card poker hand; and (l) taking the losing multiple card poker hand wager of each player having a multiple card poker hand that does not beat the dealer multiple card poker hand.
 14. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (a) dealing five cards to each player and to the dealer; and (b) splitting each continuing player and dealer card hand into a three card poker hand and a two card suited blackjack hand.
 15. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the step of making at least the ante wager, the poker hand wager, and the suited blackjack hand wager equal to one another.
 16. The method of playing a card game according to the method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player; and (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value, regardless of the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand.
 17. The method of playing a card game according to the method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for each player; (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value that beats the dealer multiple card poker hand; and (c) providing a payout of the ante and poker hand wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value that does not beat the dealer multiple card poker hand.
 18. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and (b) providing an automatic payout of the ante wager to each player having a multiple card poker hand when the value of the dealer multiple card poker hand is less than the predetermined minimum value.
 19. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (a) establishing a predetermined minimum value for a qualifying poker hand for the dealer; and (b) providing a payout of the ante, poker hand, and poker hand play wagers to each player having a multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value which beats the dealer multiple card poker hand of at least the predetermined minimum value.
 20. The method of playing a card game according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (a) placing an optional bonus wager by a bonus wagering continuing player; (b) recombining the multiple card suited blackjack hand with the multiple card poker hand and forming a recombined multiple card poker hand for each bonus wagering continuing player; (c) paying out a bonus wager to each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand containing at least a minimum poker hand combination; (d) taking the bonus wager of each bonus wagering continuing player having a recombined multiple card poker hand that does not contain at least a minimum poker hand combination. 